The electric van looking to take the commercial crown from the Toyota HiAce

Burgeoning Chinese commercial vehicle specialist LDV has set its sights on the Toyota HiAce with the arrival of its all-new eDeliver 7 electric van.

The eDeliver 7 is the smaller sibling of LDV’s popular Deliver 9 large van, which is the segment leader beating the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter year-to-date (to August) in sales.

The eDeliver 7 will be available in two different wheelbases and with two different roof height options in Australia to give the brand the ability to lure buyers from the HiAce, as well as the Ford Transit Custom, Hyundai Staria-Load and Volkswagen Transporter.

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LDV Australia, which is part of the Ateco Group, will offer short-wheelbase/low-roof, a long-wheelbase/low-roof and a long-wheelbase/mid-roof options for the eDeliver 7.

There is also a higher roof version, but LDV has opted for the ‘mid-roof’ alternative as the majority of the Australian van market prefers vehicles under two-metres in height (which is what the low- and mid-roof options are).

The eDeliver 7 sits on a new modular platform, different from the existing V80 and G10 vans offered by the company.

Final specifications for the eDeliver 7 haven’t been revealed yet.

The electric powertrain consists of a 156kW/330Nm electric motor that drives the front wheels, while power is drawn from two battery options. A 77kW battery has a 300km range on the WLTP test cycle, while an 88kWh battery pack extends that range to 364km. LDV Australia has confirmed it will offer both battery options.

Initially the eDeliver 7 will sit alongside the G10 and V80 vans in the LDV line-up, but it’s expected it will eventually supersede both models when a new diesel-powered variant is introduced. This new option was confirmed by LDV Australia general manager, Dinesh Chinnappa, but no timing or specifications were announced.

What was confirmed is that both the diesel and electric versions of the van will look the same, with the ‘cube’ grille designed to ensure enough air is fed to an internal combustion engine while not adversely impacting the aerodynamics of the electric version.

Pricing for the eDeliver 7 is likely to sit somewhere around the -90,000 mark.

Chinnappa also made it clear that LDV Australia would opt for a high level of active safety features for the eDeliver 7, with the model available with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, high-beam assist, traffic sign recognition and a surround-view camera.

Final specifications and pricing for the eDeliver 7 haven’t been revealed yet, but it’s anticipated it will hit local showrooms by early 2024.

Pricing is likely to sit somewhere around the $80-90,000 mark, given the larger eDeliver 9 starts at $116,537 before on-road costs.